One of the great things about model horses is that there are so many ways to enjoy them! I adore live showing (learn more about that here), but sometimes that is not feasible for whatever reason. If you are like me and you love to compete with your horses, the alternative to live showing is PHOTO SHOWING!
There are a couple different options for photo showing. You can upload photos to online albums and do all the showing online. Join up with TOPSA and learn about that show association. They are a very beginner friendly group and I had the honor of judging for them last year, but I’ve never shown with them.
The other option is MEPSA. MEPSA is a mail in photo show. It takes a little extra work, but it’s glorious fun with high participation. They do several annual contests to fundraise; customizing a model, building props, making tack, an essay contest.
With this organization you take photos of your horses and have them printed out. Then, you pick a show to enter and mail your photos to the judge. They judge the whole class and then mail your photos back to you. At the end of the year, all your qualifying horses can enter the championship show and win satin flat ribbons.
There is a big Champ Book with the winners of the Championship show available right after the show is finished. It also includes articles by hobbiests.
There is a great Facebook Group where you can ask questions about getting started and learn about the upcoming contests.
Stay tuned to learn tips about photographing your models in a future post!
